A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man may face assault charges after he bit the tip of a woman's finger off as she attempted to break up an alleged altercation involving the man and her son Monday morning.
At about 7:10 a.m. Monday, Poplar Bluff Police Patrolman Shaun Prenger was sent to a residence in the 700 block of North 11th Street, where he contacted 48-year-old Rose Johnson and her 27-year-old son, James Johnson.
The elder Johnson, according to Prenger's report, was missing the tip of her right, middle finger.
Rose Johnson, Prenger said, told the officer Justin C. Williams had bitten her "finger off while she was trying to break up a fight between her son, James Johnson, and Williams. (She) stated she struck Williams on the top of the head with a brick after Williams bit her finger."
Prenger said the younger Johnson reported Williams had followed him to his 11th Street residence, where "he started to kick and punch J. Johnson's vehicle while he was sitting in" it.
James Johnson further reported Williams allegedly attempted to strike him while he still was inside his vehicle.
"J. Johnson got out of the vehicle to defend himself, at which time he and Williams began striking one another," Prenger said.
During this time, Prenger said, the man reported his mother came outside and attempted to break up the alleged fight.
James Johnson alleged Williams bit off the tip of his mother's finger as she attempted to intervene, Prenger said.
A neighbor, Prenger said, also witnessed the alleged incident between James Johnson and Williams, who he initially described as "yelling at each other. (He) advised Williams attacked James Johnson while he was sitting in his vehicle.
"(He) stated both J. Johnson and Williams began to grapple on the ground outside the vehicle at which time he attempted to break the fight up."
The neighbor, according to Prenger, indicated the younger Johnson "acted as though he did not want to fight, but Williams would not let up."
The neighbor's account, Prenger said, was similar to that of the Johnsons.
Officers, Prenger said, searched the area and found the fingertip, which was photographed and turned over to emergency-medical-services personnel.
The elder Johnson was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment.
At about 7:40 a.m., Prenger said, he contacted Williams at his residence in the 500 block of Cynthia Street.
Williams, who was handcuffed, was told of his rights.
"Williams stated that he heard J. Johnson had struck his daughter and went to his residence ... to confront (him) about it."
When Prenger asked about Rose Johnson's finger and whether he allegedly had bitten it off, "Williams stated: 'I thought I bit him,'" but did not comment further.
Williams subsequently told Prenger he didn't know what had happened.
Williams, 27, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault and taken to the police station, where he again was told of his rights and booked.
Prenger said Williams reiterated he had driven to the 11th Street home to allegedly confront the younger Johnson about his daughter.
"Williams advised that once he arrived, he and J. Johnson fought," Prenger said.
The man, the officer said, further reported the elder Johnson came outside and "struck him in the head with a brick."
When again asked about Rose Johnson's finger, Prenger said, Williams responded: "'No, I did not mean to bite anyone's finger.'"
Williams, who was treated at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for a laceration to the top of his head and a "few scrapes" on his hands, was booked at the Butler County jail.